Fluid-clutch.



J. 3. KINNEY.

FLUID CLUTCH. APPLICATION FILEDj-IUNE 5, 1912.

2 SHBETSSHEET 1.

Patented Mar. 25, 1913.

TmaZZ iohom it may concern:

JUSTUS R. KINNEY, F DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

FLUID-GLUT6H.

Specification of ietters Patent.

Application filed June 5, 1912. serial no. 791,917.

:Pa-tented Mar. 25, 1913.

Be itknown that I, JUs'rUs R. Kinney, a citizen ofthe United, States of America, and a resident of Dorchester, 1n the county of Sufiolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improve ments in Fluid-Clutches, of which the following is a specification.

This. invention relates to fluid clutches and particularly to a device of this class whereby a rotary-movement of the driving member. may be imparted to a driven mem- I The invention further consists in means ber, at varyingspe'eds through the medium of a confined body of fluid;

for controlling the flow of said fluid for the purpose of varying the speed of the driven member during the rotary movement of the driving member or to permit the free circontrolling valve. Fig.

culation of the fluid in the casing in which it is confined sotha-t no power is'tra-nsmitted from one member to the other.

The invention further consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement or parts which will be readily'understood by reference to thedescription of the drawings and to the claims hereinafter given.

Of the drawings: Figure 1 represents an end viewof a transmission device embodying the features of the present invention Fig. 2 represents a similar view of the device with one end plate removed therefrom and a portion broken in section. Fig. 3 represents a longitudinal central section of the same, the cutting planebeingon line 3--3 on Fig. 2. Fig. 4 represents an end eleva tion of the mechanism for oscillating the tion' thereof, the cutting plane being on line 5-43 on Fig. 1. Fig. 6 represents a plan of one-of the slotted oscillating members, and Figs. 7 and 8 represent respectively an elevation and end view of the oscillating or controlling valve.

Similar characters designate like parts throughout the several'figures of the draw- 111 s.

Tn the drawings, 10 represents a casing member having secured to its ends the cover plates 11 and 12; The plate 11 is provided with a suitable bearing -13 for the'end of a revoluble shaft 14 which shaft extends through a bearing 15 in the end plate 12,

as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The

0 represents a sec forming one part of a coupling member whereby the said member may be coupled to a similar member to which it is desired to impart retary'movement. .The casing memher 10 is provided with two central cylindrical chambers 17 separated by a wall 18. Mounted in each of the chambers 17 is an annular piston member 19. surrounding an eccentric 20 formed integral with the shaft 14;, Each piston 19 is provided with a radial blade 21 extending through a slot 22' in an oscillating member 23. These oscillating members 23 are positioned end to end in the c lindrical openings 23? extending through the casing 10 with their outer ends mounted in depressions 2a in the end plates 11' and 12,

as clearly indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The opening 23 in which are positioned the oscillating members 23 is formed in an abnt iwnt ext-ending inwardly from the outer part of the casing to thecylindrical wall of the chamber 17. This cylindrical Opening 23* extends from one end plate 11 to the other 12. In this same abutment is formed another cylindrical opening 2-5 in Which is mounted an oscillating valve 26, the cylindrical end portions 27 of this valve being positioned'in depressions 28 formed in the end plates 11 and 12. -Bet\reen the end portions 27 the valve 26 .is cutaway as indica ed at 29, leav ng One flat side, and thereby forming a pass'agefor the fluid through the cylindrical opening 25 in which said valve is ,m0unted.-The cylindrical opening 25 communicates through a passage 30 with each of the central piston chamhers 17 and in a similar manner it is connectod through a connecting passage 31 with .achamber 32 partially surrounding the central piston chambers 17 and extending from one face of the inwardly extending abutmentto its opposite face. The opposite end of this connecting passage 32 communirates through openings 33 with the piston chambers 17.

The ends 27 of the valve 26 are positioned in depressions 34 in the end plates 11 and 12 as indicated in Fig. 5 of the-drawings. This valveiw has a stem 35 extending through a stufling box 36 on theend plate 12 and secured to its outer end is a pinion 37 with the teeth of which mesh the teeth of a rack 38 formed upon a slide 39 adapted to be moved toward and from the shaft 14 between guide members 40 secured to the outerface of the end plate 12. This slide 39 also has formed thereon a rack 41, the

4 end plate 12 is surrounded by the cylindrical member 47. The'bell crank lever 43 is provided with a forked arm 48 which straddles.

a slidable collar 49 surrounding the-shaft '14. This collar hasan annular groove 50 therein into which extends studs 51 from the two ends of the forked. arm 48 so that any movement of the collar 49 longitudinally of the shaft 14' will caus'ean oscillation of the bell crank lever 43 about its pivot 44 and reciprocate the slide 39 thereby movin the -valve 26 about its axis. The bell crank ever lug 50* 43 is provided with a projectin which is adapted to bear against t e adjustable stop member 51' to limit the upward movement of the slide 39. The sliding collar 49 is also provided with another-annular groove 52 ,into which project the studs 53 on a forked shifting lever 54 pivoted at 55 to any suitable fixed member 56; The shaft 14 is referably the driving member and the casing 1O, 11, and 12 may be driven thereby, and when coupled to another member by means of the flange 16 this other member may be driven at any desired speed by varyving the opening of the .valve 26. In the position of the valve 26 shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the oil contained i'n'the chambers 17- and connecting passage 32 is free to circulate as the shaft 14 is rotated. As a re sult' of this free circulation no motion will be imparted to the casing 10 by the revolution of said shaft but as soon as the valve 26 has been moved about itsaxis by the operation of the shifting lever 54 and the other instrumentalities interposed between said valve and shifting lever the passage 31 will be closed or partially closed and the power will then be transmitted from the driving member to the driven member at a speed determined by the position of said valve.

member'will be rotated at a diminished speed, the exact degree of which being dependent upon the amount the passage 31 has been out 01f.

It is obvious from. an inspection-0f the drawings that the blade 21 will prevent the oil from circulating in the chambers 17 and consequently the oil must, in the rotation of ed to control the passage of the oil between the chambers 17 and the; connecting passage '32, as by such a construction the valve may .be readily operated while under pressure whichwould not be truewhere sliding valves were used.

It is' believed that the operation and many .advantages of. the invention will bevfully understood from the foregoing.

Having lclaim:

driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members havthus described my invention, I

. '1 1. In a fiuid clutch, the combination with ing a cylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and both containing fluid, the ends of said passage :being' separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical depression therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with-a radial blade; an oscillating member in said depression having a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends; and a valve adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage.

2. In a fluid clutch, the combination with driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one ofsaid members having a cylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and both containing fluid, the ends of said passage ibein with a cylindrical depression therein: an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a ra-.

dial blade: an oscillating member in said depression having a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends: and an.

oscillating valve adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamberand connecting passage.

3.ln a fluid clutch, the combination with driving and driven members, of a cylin (lrical casing on one of said members having a cylindrical central chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passage communi eating therewith at its ends and both containing fluid, the ends of said passage being separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical depression therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial blade; an oscillating membeii in said depresnoses 1o sion liaving'a diametral slot therein through which said bladeext'ends; a valve adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage; and means mounted upon one of said members for controlling the operation of said valve.

' a. Ina fluid.- clutch, the combination with driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having a cylindrical; central chamber partially" surroundedby a connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and both v containing fluid, the ends of saidpassage being separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical depression therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial blade; an oscillating member in said depression having a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends; an oscillating valve adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage;'and means mounted upon one of said being separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical depression therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a ra-' dial blade; an oscillating member in said depression having a diametral slottherein through which said blade extends; and an oscillating valve consisting of a member having a flat side and adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage.

6. In a fluid clutch, the combination with driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having a cylindrical central chamber partially sunrounded by a connecting'passage communicating therewith atone end and both con taining fluid, the ends of said connecting passage being separated by an abutment provided with two transverse cylindrical depressions, both communicating with said central "chamber and one also communicating with the opposite end of said connecting passage; a slotted oscillating member in the first mentioned depression; a rotary eccentrio piston in the central chamber provided 1 with a radial blade extending through the so slot in said. oscillating member; a member in the other depression adapted to control the flow of fluid between said central chamber o and connecting passage; and means for controlling the operation of said fluid controlling member.

a fluid clutch the combination with. driving 'and' driveri members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having two separated cylindrical chambers, centrally disposed, both partially surrounded by a connecting passage communicating therewith at one end and both said chambers and passage containing fluid, the ends of said connecting passage being separated by an abutment provided with two transverse cylindrical depressions both communieating with said central chambers and one also connnumcatmg with the opposite end of said connecting passage; two slotted oscillating members positioned end to end in the first mentioned depression; a rotary eccentric piston in each central chamber provided with a radial blade extending through the slot in an oscillating member; a particylindrical member in the other depression adapted to control the flow of fluid between said central chamber and connecting passage; and means for controlling the opera-" tion of said controlling member. 8. In a fluid clutch, the combination wit driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having a central cylindrical chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and containing fluid, the ends of said'passage being separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical opening therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial blade; an oscillating member in said opening having a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends; a valve adapted to control'the flow of fluid between'said chamber and connecting passage; a pinion on said valve; a rack meshing therewith; and means on one of said members for operating said rack.

, 9.- In a fluid clutch, the COllllllIltltlOItWith driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having a central cylindrical chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and both containing fiuid,-the ends of said passage being separated by an abutment provided with a cy? llndrlcal opening-- thereln; an eccentric p1s-.

ton in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial blade; an oscillating member in said opening having a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends; a valve adapted tocontrol the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage; a pinion on said valve; a rack meshing therewith; and means on the piston bearing member for operating said rack.

10. In a fluid clutcln'the combination with driving and driven members, of a cylindrical casing on one of said members having a central cylindrical chamber partially surrounded by a connecting passage communicating therewith at its ends and both containing fluid the ends of said passage being separated by an abutment provided with a cylindrical opening therein; an eccentric piston in said chamber secured to the other member and provided with a radial blade;

- an oscillating member in said opening havirw a diametral slot therein through which said blade extends; a valve adapted to control the flow of fluid between said chamber and connecting passage; a pinion on said valve; a slid'able member having two racks thereon one of which meshes With said p1nion; a pivoted gear segment meshing with the other rack; and means for movingsaid gear segment about its pivot to control the operation of said valve. u I

Signed by me at t Post Office Sq., Boston, Mass, this 29th day of May, 1912. 'JUSTUS R. KINNEY;v

Witnesses: r

' WALTER E. Lo uBARD, NATHAN C. LOMBARD. 

